The end of the parsha deals with animals that we are prohibited to consume. The commentators intertwine the theme of sanctity which defines the nation with the ban against those forbidden animals. Nachmonides and others explain that the essence of the proscribed animals is antithesis to the very nature of…
The mitzvah to thank Hashem after a meal, specifically one of bread, is mentioned in the parsha. However, the context of this mitzvah is very puzzling. Obviously, one must thank Hashem for the meal that he has just enjoyed. But the language used in the Torah does not emphasize…
Moshe provides a glimpse of the future challenges that the nation will engage. Idol worship will entice them and some will indeed fall prey to the falsehoods of emptiness that appear to be real and existent. Of course, eventually the people will awaken to their massive error and return to…
We often don’t assess well the results of our decisions. Being short-sighted is a problem which can lead to long term disastrous consequences. Perhaps that is a lesson to be learned from the destruction of the two Batei Mikdash that occurred on Tisha B’av.
The end of sefer Bamidbar concludes that these are the mitzvos that were conveyed to the people ‘in the hand of Moshe’ whereas the conclusion of the previous sefer Vayikra ends that these are the mitzvos that were transmitted to Moshe. Why is there a variation of the language between…
Pinchas killed a prince of the nation who was intimately involved with a non-Jewish princess from Midian. Certainly, one would praise such an act of bravery ignoring the status of the person involved and instead protecting the nation from experiencing within its midst such a travesty. However, just the opposite…
The episode of Moshe hitting the rock instead of speaking to it is quite puzzling. It seems as though the punishment does not fit the crime. Although as the Midrash states if Moshe would have spoken to the rock the nation would have clearly perceived the greatness and magnitude of…
The episode of Korach dampened the prestige of the Kohanim. Perhaps after Korach challenged Moshe’s authority to bestow upon Ahron and his children the opportunity and obligation to serve in the Mishkan and later in the Beis Hamikdash the nation would not respect them.
Rav Moshe Feinstein, the supreme halachic decider of the previous generation asks why the parsha of Tzitzis begins on a different note then most of the mitzvos presented in the Torah. Usually, the introduction of a mitzvah is with the words “And Hashem spoke” whereas when Moshe relays the mitzvah…
Some moments are too meaningful to photograph. Thankfully, they aren’t too meaningful to remember. What a beautiful evening of great food, meaningful conversation, and inspiring Torah.
When the people were offering the Pesach sacrifice there were those that were defiled after having been in contact with corpses. They came to Moshe and exclaimed that they wanted desperately to bring the Pesach offering but were unable to due to their circumstances. Moshe did not respond to them…
The Mishkan was a highly celebrated event in the nation. It was the culmination of months of hard work after a very successful fundraising campaign that covered all the expenses necessary for its construction. The Torah compares its completion as that of a bride, a kallah, entering into the chupah,…
The Talmud states that we read the parsha of Bechukosai before Shavuos in order that the curses and downfalls of the year end before the New Year. Although we don’t view Shavuos as a Rosh Hashanah however, we are judged pertaining to the produce that will be forthcoming at…
We live in a world of variance. Today’s Klal Yisroel consists of so many dissimilarities of customs, mode of dress, expressions, even differences in halacha. Perhaps one might think that we have fragmented and lost our common bond.
The Torah urges us to dedicate our time, resources and energy for Torah study. The language employed is rather interesting. Torah study is referred to as a statute and immersion in its study is termed walking. Certainly, there is a reason for this unusual definition of our obligation to…
If we were to discuss one who is judged by his king, of course that person would tremble and shake perhaps anticipating the worst. However, there would also be the distinct possibility that the king might clear him of his charges. And the individual would approach the king and…
The sacrifice termed the Peace Offering or the ‘Shlamim’ is unlike other offerings because its allowed time for consumption is the day it was brought, the following night and the day after. All other sacrifices are only for that day and the following night based upon Torah standards.
The halacha is that only a Kohen can pronounce the impurity of Tzora’as upon either a person, his clothing or his home. Nonetheless, when the Torah mentions that one’s house can be infected with the spiritual impurity of Tzora’as the owner approaches the Kohen and states that it appears as…
One of the most special sacrifices is that of the burnt offering. The entire animal is consumed on the altar, obviously an indication of absolute and exclusive consideration to serve Hashem. Only the outer skin, the hide is not given to Hashem but rather presented to the Kohanim, the priests,…
Nachmonides on the other hand explains that this beginning verse in Vayikra is a continuation of the end of parshas Pekudei. There the Torah states that the Cloud of Hashem enveloped the Mishkan both from the outer perimeter and even the interior of the Mishkan was infused with the…
